entrenched

American  

[en-trencht] / ɛnˈtrɛntʃt /

adjective

1. firmly or solidly established; placed in a position of strength.

   One of the most firmly entrenched ideas of masculinity is that men don't cry.

2. surrounded by trenches dug for defensive purposes.

   Government troops had finally been forced to abandon their entrenched positions, making them vulnerable to ground attack.

---

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of entrench.

Other Word Forms

• unentrenched
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of entrenched

entrench ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

When you're entrenched, you're dug in. Sometimes that means you're literally in a trench, but usually it means you just won't budge from a position or belief. Entrenched things are buried so solidly that they can't move — or just behave like they're firmly lodged in some deep hole. Usually this word refers to views people hold very strongly. Having turkey on Thanksgiving is a tradition that's entrenched in American culture — it's long been established and isn't going anywhere. When you're entrenched, you're being stubborn or consistent, depending on your view.

Example Sentences

He has vowed to take on entrenched political and economic forces to create affordable housing, make the wealthy pay more in taxes, lower energy bills and protect the environment.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

PIK loans have become entrenched in direct lending.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

Even Microsoft, with its large and entrenched user base, hasn’t been immune from the gloomy sentiment.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

He added officials do have a delicate balancing act, to refrain from raising rates prematurely and further slow down a struggling economy, while avoiding waiting too long to act before higher inflation becomes entrenched.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

The value of high school English was not entrenched.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

• rooted